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Corten Metal Gateway Emphasizes Geological Narratives in Visitor Shelter

Author:
Shiva Keyvanfar
Corten Metal Gateway Emphasizes Geological Narratives in Visitor Shelter
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Corten metal panels engraved with tectonic illustrations create a compelling entrance that connects visitors to the geological narratives of the Grjotagja area, providing a unique shelter for exploration and reflection amidst the natural landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Corten metal panels are engraved with tectonic illustrations, creating a unique entrance that emphasizes geological narratives.
02
A wooden bridge inside the Karlagja cave facilitates one-way circulation, enhancing the visitor experience through the cave.
03
The shelter features large windows that frame views of the natural landscape, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors.
04
Alaskan Lupin flowers line the approach to the building, adding a natural touch and enhancing the visitor journey.
05
Information stands made from weathered steel provide educational resources about the tectonic divide and local geology.

The project located in the Grjotagja area within Vogar farmland serves as a shelter for tourists, designed to blend with the surrounding natural landscape. It enhances the visitor experience while encouraging exploration of the region's unique geological features. The overall design concept focuses on simplicity and preserving nature, inviting visitors to discover the area's natural secrets during their journey.

Entrance and Engagement

As visitors approach, they encounter a pathway lined with Alaskan Lupin flowers that leads to the building's entrance. The façade includes two corten metal panels, each featuring engravings that illustrate the tectonic plates of Europe and North America. This design element acts as a welcoming entry point and connects visitors with the geological stories of the area, encouraging curiosity and exploration of the environment.

Interior Experience

Inside, the design creates an intimate atmosphere that contrasts with the exterior. Visitors have the opportunity to sit and enjoy refreshments while taking in the view of how natural rock formations interact with the interior space. This connection to nature is emphasized, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of their surroundings and experience the landscape from a different perspective.

Circulation and Vistas

A prominent aspect of the design is the central stair path that guides visitors to a viewing platform. From this elevated position, they can witness the sunset as it casts vibrant colors across the horizon. This scene serves to highlight the focus on geological unity, representing the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, a key feature of the area's identity.

Information and Functionality

Functional elements are incorporated into the design, such as information stands made from weathered steel panels. These stands provide resources about the caves and the tectonic divide, enriching the visitor experience with important context. Service areas, including restrooms and storage, are strategically located to ensure visitor comfort while preserving the natural integrity of the site.

The interior features carefully placed seating areas that encourage reflection. Large windows frame views of the beautiful landscape, allowing the natural environment to become part of the space, creating a strong connection between inside and outside.

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Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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